This Saturday, Chelsea aims to break their three-game winless streak in the Premier League, facing a formidable challenge as they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The Reds recently suffered their first defeat of the season across all competitions, surprisingly losing to Galatasaray in the Champions League. This initial setback, while singular, highlighted several underlying issues that have emerged early in the season, as Jurgen Klopp endeavors to identify his optimal starting eleven.
With Alexis Mac Allister unavailable for this fixture, the need for Dominik Szoboszlai`s return to midfield becomes even more critical. Szoboszlai played as a right-back in the Champions League, with Jeremie Frimpong deployed on the wing. However, a likely return for Mohamed Salah to the starting lineup will probably push Frimpong back to right-back or onto the bench. With Conor Bradley now fit, Klopp has various options at his disposal should he perceive his team to be defensively vulnerable to advance Frimpong.
How to Watch Chelsea vs. Liverpool, Betting Odds
- Date: Saturday, October 4 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Stamford Bridge – London
- TV: NBC | Live Stream: Fubo
- Odds: Chelsea +180; Draw +275; Liverpool +130
Maintaining Full Strength on the Pitch
It`s surprising that this point even needs to be emphasized: Chelsea has had a player sent off in three of their last four matches, resulting in two defeats. While Joao Pedro will be suspended for a Champions League fixture and not this Premier League clash, excessive aggression could severely disadvantage them against a visiting Liverpool side. Last season, Liverpool earned more penalties than any other team, converting all nine thanks to Mohamed Salah`s clinical finishing from the spot.
Liverpool is expected to launch a relentless offensive against Chelsea, particularly as the Blues` defense tends to concede if they sit too deep for extended periods. Should Chelsea offer opportunities for penalties, the outcome of the game might be decided almost before it truly begins.
A Case for Benching Florian Wirtz
Liverpool`s overall balance has been lacking, partly due to new signing Florian Wirtz`s struggle to find his optimal role within the team. While Wirtz is undoubtedly a player with significant future potential for Liverpool, his adaptation to the Premier League and the transition from being a primary attacking focal point have proven challenging. Klopp`s defensive unit is already weakened by Alisson`s hamstring injury, making a focus on ball possession even more imperative.
Last season, Liverpool excelled at controlling games, patiently waiting for opponents` errors. This season, however, they have lacked that crucial controlling element. While some of this can be attributed to integrating the midfield, defensive missteps have also complicated their attacking flow. It speaks volumes about the team`s underlying strength that they have only one loss this season despite these concerns, but without improvement, away fixtures like this one against Chelsea could lead to more dropped points.
The Race for a Top-Four Finish Intensifies
The upper half of the Premier League table is remarkably competitive. Although Liverpool might be leading the league before this match, they are only two points clear of Arsenal. A failure to secure a win at Chelsea could see the Gunners ascend to the top spot before the international break, fueling their hopes of a title push after three consecutive seasons finishing second. Belief can propel a team significantly, so it`s vital for the Reds to maintain their momentum. Chelsea currently sits in eighth place. While it`s still early, and they are not far from a top-four position, trailing teams like Crystal Palace, Tottenham, and Manchester City will make their climb up the table more arduous than it might initially appear.
Last season, the Blues successfully qualified for the Champions League, leveraging a deep squad that allowed rotation due to their Conference League commitments. This season, however, Mauricio Pochettino has been compelled to shorten his rotation, requiring his primary squad for both Champions League and Premier League duties. Juggling these two demanding competitions could potentially see Chelsea miss out on a top-four finish, but securing points against a strong opponent at home would be a significant step towards achieving their aspirations.
